Radiation Therapy with a stoma

Radiation therapy uses a form of X-rays to destroy or injure cancer cells so they cannot multiply. Commonly, a course of radiation therapy is used to shrink a tumour before surgery for locally advanced cancers. Occasionally, if the cancer is found to be more advanced than originally thought, radiation therapy may be used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. This episode examines the history of radiation therapy, how it is used today, and the side effects that may occur following treatment, if you live with a stoma. As an added extra, i interview a radiation therapist to understand how radiation treatment works in todays modern cancer treatment world.